On the 9th Day of Christmas...

Magnet-Ficent Invisible Quilt Hangers allow you to easily and securely support your quilt for display, yet it wll appear to be floating very close to the wall with no means of support.

This hanging system uses a small mounting plate attached to your wall using 3M Command adhesive strips. Powerful, specially designed magnets securely hold you quilt to the plate via the adjustable metal rod inserted into your quilt's rod pocket. Go ahead and hang quilts 10 inches to 48 inches wide, or even larger with additional kits. It's easily adjustable-just slide the magnet! Remove, re-hang, or change your displayed quilt with no hassel. All you need to add is an adjustable metal rod (such as a curtain rod) the length of your quilt., inserted into a casing on the back side of your quilt. Just $35.99 Click here to order.$35.99

Here are the next two dresses using Texture Magic. On this first one, a little lace trimmed apron with a waistband was added to the dress. The fabric was layered on the texture magic with no batting inbetween. The stitching was a small feather stitch. The edge was zig-zag stitched and the trim was added covering the zig-zag. The apron was tucked under the waistband and left loose and the waistband was zig-zag stitched in place.

The next dress has a little red jacket. The quilt sandwich included batting and was stitched in straight rows about 1/2" apart. Before it was stitched to the dress, a new blouse in a different color was added as well .

For a chance to win a package of Texture Magic, leave a comment here by Dec. 12th. Three winners will be chosen at random.

The Dolly Dresses Blog continues. Today's reveal is Gina Halladay from Quilter's Buzz. It is another darling quilt. Go to Holly Holderman's blog to get the link.

It's freezing cold here, stay warm,

Lynda

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

The Gypsy Sit Upon Comfort Cushion would be a great gift for almost anyone.

This is what the package has to say-"Sit comfortably for hours while quilting, sewing, reading, and more." (I think I left out driving-yikes, balancing and driving at the same time) "Softly inflated disc prevents fatigue and reduces pressure on the tailbone. Helps relieve lower back pain, strengthens core muscles, and improves posture. Nubby texture allows cooling air flow and promotes improved blood circulation. Durable purple rubberized material remains soft and pliable. One size fits all. " It takes a bit to get used to, but it really helped me with my posture at the sewing machine. We've recently cut the price and it now retails for $29.99 Click here to order.

Now, back to the Dolly Dresses Blog Event. Our quilt was revealed on the 6th and I promised to show you more ways that we used Texture Magic. Here are two more dresses. The vest was made from one of my favorite LakeHouse fabrics that has shiny dots on it. Check yesterday's blog to read about making a template and sandwiching the fabrics together. A feather stitch was stitched between the dots and then it was appliqued in place with a zig-zag stitch.

For the second dress another dotted fabric was used and it was layered to the Texture Magic with no batting. Straight lines were stitched between the dots, creating a vertical grid which is really emphasized after it shrank. I hope you are enjoying seeing the possibilities that Texture Magic creates!

We carry Texture Magic in a 47 x 36" sheet and in a 47 x 18" sheet . Click here for more information. For a chance to win 1 of 3 packages of the 47 x 18" sheet, please leave a comment by December 12th. The winners will be chosen at random on Dec. 13th.

Today's quilt reveal on the Dolly Dresses Blog Event is Taffy McLaughlin from Intown Quilters. Everyone really brought their 'A' game to this project and what a fun way to see blogs you might not have known of. To find the link to Intown Quilters, go to Holly Holderman's blog.

Have fun hopping,

Lynda

On the 7th Day of Christmas...

For the first time ever, Great American Quilt Factory is having a Gift Certificate Sale. What a great choice for holiday giving for a quilting or sewing friend or maybe just for yourself. We always have beautiful kits, great notions, gorgeous fabric, and the newest in books and patterns. Come in to shop, or buy your Gift Certificate online.

Now, on to the Dolly Dresses Blog Event. Our quilt was revealed yesterday and I promised that I would tell a little more about our use of Texture Magic. Here is the block with the pink bunny jacket.

A plastic template pattern was made of the jacket. Batting was sandwiched between a piece of the pink bunny fabric and a piece of the Texture Magic. It was stitched with a small meander making sure to not stitch over the bunnies. The fabric sandwich was heated with a steam iron and shrank to reveal this darling fabric that emphasizes the bunnies. The template pattern was traced around on the TM side, the jacket cut out, and zig-zag stitched back into place. Here is a close-up that shows how darling it is.

The second dress has a new apron attached to the dress. The template plastic was laid on top the the dress and an apron was drawn. A quilt sandwich was made with the TM, a layer of batting, and the red checkered fabric.

The fabric was straight stitched diagonally between the colors. Heat was applied and the fabric shrunk to look like a little biscuit quilt. The pattern for the apron was drawn on the TM side and the piece cut out. It was zig-zag stitched into place and a small waistband was added. I wish you could see this in person--it is may favorite block! Here is the closeup.

Alrighty then--I will share two more blocks tomorrow, so please check back. To order Texture Magic, click here. For a chance to win a packet of 47 x 18" Texture Magic be sure to leave a comment by Dec. 13th. Three winners will be chosen at random.

The Dolly Dresses Blog Event continues. To read more about it, check out my Nov. 30th blog. Today's quilt is from Jere McDade of Quilted Quickies. Her "calendar girl" quilt is precious. Pop over to Holly's Blog for the link.

Have fun,

Lynda

On the 6th Day of Christmas...

It's all about the magic...

Yippee! Today is our day to reveal our Dolly Dresses Quilt. Holly Holderman of LakeHouse fabrics asked me at Quilt Market if we would like to design a project using her two Dolly Dresses panels and be part of this blog event. I pondered for a minute, asked a few questions, and said YES! What an honor to be chosen as a featured designer. Thanks Holly!

We wanted to design something colorful, dimensional, and fun. I think we succeeded! This quilt is definitely colorful, thanks to beautiful LakeHouse fabrics.

We added a pinwheel border to add lots of dimension. (We designed a dimensional pinwheel quilt years ago in our PS I Love You, Two Book). The feather border and the outline quilting done by Ann Petersen adds even more dimension. And...


we added a little magic to the dresses for the fun!

Texture Magic! Each Dolly Dress has been treated to a Texture Magic make-over. Check out the pink bunny jacket and the red checkered apron.





Texture Magic is a material that when stitched to a fabric, and heated with a steam iron, results in the fabric shrinking approx. 30% in all directions creating a textured fabric. Over the next few days I will show you some of the textures that were created with different stitch patterns--so please check back. Many projects can be magically made-over with Texture Magic. Let your imagination soar--the 'possibilities' are endless!

We carry Texture Magic in a 47 x 36" sheet and will be getting in a 47 x 18" sheet soon. Click here for more information. For a chance to win 1 of 3 packages of the 47 x 18" sheet, please leave a comment by December 12th. The winners will be chosen at random on Dec. 13th.

The next Dolly Dresses Blog Event project will be revealed tomorrow. Go to Holly's blog to find the link.

Enjoy the creativity!

Lynda
P.S. If you would be interested in purchasing the two Dolly Dress Panels and the pattern for this quilt (not available until Spring 2010), please email Ashley at info@greatamericanquilt.com.

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

Brand spanking new to the market is Alex Anderson's 4-in-1 Essential Sewing Tool for quilting, applique, papercrafts, dollmaking, and more. The tool includes a super-sharp Bernina seam ripper, extra-long stiletto, flat-ended presser, and a pointed wood end cap for turning and stuffing. Because it is so new it might make the perfect present for your quilting and sewing friends and for you, too! $19.95 Click here to order.

The Dolly Dresses Blog Event continues with Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics. Jennifer designed a darling tablerunner. Very, very, cute! For more info on this event, check out our blog from November 30. The event is the brain child of Holly Holderman from LakeHouse fabrics. Check out Holly's blog to get the link to Shabby Fabrics quilt. Our turn is tomorrow and I can't wait for you to see our quilt.

The days, hours, minutes, and seconds are counting away--happy stitching,

Lynda

On the 4th Day of Christmas...

Because the holidays are such a great time to make personalized gifts, I'd like to introduce you to TAP. TAP is Transfer Artist Paper and was invented by Lesley Riley. TAP allows you to make iron-on transfers for almost any surface--fabric, lutradur, wood, polymer, canvas, glass, and more. Check out our story board to see transfers on some of our favorite surfaces. We also show transfers done with paintstix and magic markers. It's easy and fun--just add your imagination! A package contains five 8 1/2 x 11" sheets and retails for $11.99. Click here to order.

The Dolly Dresses Blog Event is in full swing. The first quilt to be revealed is from Debbie Taylor at Fat Quarter Shop. It's a delightful quilt! Check out Holly's blog to find a link to the Jolly Jabber blog. Remember, our day to reveal our quilt is this Sunday. Don't forget to check it out.

Happy stitching,

Lynda

P.S. Just for fun I added the Hallmark Christmas Calendar on the sidebar--don't let it make you nervous or stressed. ; )

On the 3rd Day of Christmas

One of my favorite notions is the Bendable Bright Light that attaches to the side of your sewing machine. You can aim the bright LED light right were you need to and it doesn't get hot. A low voltage 8' power cord, a power pack, and a mounting bracket are included for the price of $49.99--I think it is worth every penny and it can be used for other crafts, not just for sewing. For another photo of me using it click here. To order click here.


Tomorrow is the start of the Dolly Dresses Blog Event. I think there are 15 designers altogether, so it should be great fun to see all of the quilts and hear what the designers have to say. I'm pretty sure that there will be some prizes given for comments. Our day is Sunday December 6th. I hope to see you then. For more information, go to Holly Holderman's blog.

See you tomorrow with another one of my favorite quilty things.

Lynda

On the 2nd Day of Christmas...

Hello quilting friends,

We design fabric for Quilting Treasures and our newest line is Petals and Paisley and it will be delivered to stores this month. Petals and Paisley consists of prints with an Old World wood block character in rich tones of denim, aqua, browns, and teals that will work well in traditional as well as contemporary projects.

Check out the Quilting Treasures website to download a wonderful quilt that we designed to showcase this delightful fabric. This quilt would be so easy to make for a special Christmas present for a special person. I'll let you know when we receive the fabric in the backdoor.

Only two more days until the Dolly Dresses Blog Event starts. We have designed a special quilt using Holly Holderman's (LakeHouse Fabrics) Dolly Dresses panels. The Blog Event starts this Friday. Check out Holly's Blog for more information and to get a sneak preview of Dolly Dresses 2 and 3 fabrics--they are lovely.

See you tomorrow,

Lynda

On the 1st Day of Christmas...

Oh my goodness!

December is here and Christmas is a few short weeks away. Over the next few days, I would like to share some of my favorite things for Christmas giving or receiving. Here is the 1st one on the 1st day of December.

Today, I'm happy to tell you that Patchwork Party, Fall 2009 has been extended until the end of December. We had an incredible Spring Patchwork Party and the fun continued through the Fall and we were not quite ready for the fun to end. So, need a wonderful Christmas gift for yourself or for a quilting friend? Collect a sampler block ($7.00 each, postage included) from each of the participating 12 stores and then choose your favorite finishing kit. WOW! Each quilt looks soooo different and they are all beautiful--it would be a hard choice, although I like ours the best.

See some closeups here. The fabric line is Samsara from Benartex--gorgeous focus fabrics and great coordinates. Don't wait, Patchwork Party Fall 2009 ends December 31st.

Also, only 4 more days until the Dolly Dresses Blog Event starts. I can't wait until you see our quilt.

Talk to you tomorrow,

Lynda

Dolly Dresses-Quilts and More coming soon!

Hello friends,

We have some exciting news!

We have been chosen by Holly Holderman of LakeHouse fabrics to be a featured designer for a fun blog event. Each designer was given two panels of Holly's new Dolly Dresses fabric and were to design a quilt or other projects using these panels. If I do say so myself, our quilt is wonderful!!!! Let's just say it incorporates a new product in the quilting industry and it was so fun to use.


The Dolly Dresses Blog Event starts this Friday, December 4th. I don't know what day our quilt will be revealed, but as soon as I know, I'll let you know. I'll be anxious to go blog hopping to see everyone else's quilts. I did a little blog hopping today to see some of the other designer's blogs that I haven't visited before--fun, fun, fun. I hope you will hop with me!

Lynda

Jill McNeilly and Sherri Moore--stitching visitors!

A month or so ago, we got an e-mail from Jill McNeilly, from Franklin, MA, stating that she would be in Denver with her husband who was attending a conference. Jill wanted to know if she could borrow a machine and sew in the store for a few days. We, of course, replied yes. Jill was with us for 3 days last week. She was making a quilt for a girlfriends' 13 year old daughter. The pattern was Topsy Turvy from an American Quilter magazine. It was fun to keep tabs with Jill and see the quilt progress. (Notice the beautiful ORANGE color?)

On the third day, Sherri Moore, from Indianapolis, IN, was in the store (her husband was also at a conference) and struck up a conversation with Jill. When she found out that Jill was borrowing a machine she inquired if she, too, could sew. We set up another machine and with the biggest grin on her face, Sherri announced that she was in heaven!

What a delightful time was had by all. Jill almost completed her quilt, Sherri almost finished a Grids & Grommets purse and we all had fun checking in on them from time to time.

I think the young lady that Jill is making this quilt for is very lucky--it was turning out great.

If you are ever in the Denver area and looking for a place to sew and be inspired, please call.

Thank you Jill and Sherri--we really enjoyed your visit. Come again soon!

Lynda, Nancy and the staff at Great American Quilt Factory

Jean Bonelli's Beautiful Scrap Quilt

It's always nice to share our customer's projects on the blog. This fun quilt, made by Jean Bonelli, was made from a pattern in a McCall's Quilt magazine. Jean told us she is a beginning quilter. We thought she did a great job with the pattern and especially with the color. We can't wait to see what else Jean will make.



Beautiful quilt, Jean, and thanks for sharing!

Lynda and Nancy

...and I'm not so fond of WHITE.

This is how my beautiful ORANGE bush looks today.

To be honest, most of the ORANGE was gone. The snow is coming down sideways at times and continues to pile up, so I'm working at home today. It reminds me of the snow storm we had last Spring.

I hope everyone has a stitching project to work on. What is your favorite snowy day activity? It's hard to decide between stitching and cooking. I guess I'll stick something in the crock pot so that I can do both.

The Denver weather should be nice, but chilly for the trick or treaters. I plan to see lots of coats covering up cute costumes.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Lynda

I LOVE ORANGE....

Hello everyone,

I love Fall and the change of color in the trees and bushes. I have a bush in my backyard that is an unassuming bush for 3/4 of the year, but in the Fall it becomes a STAR! Last Saturday it was pretty nondescript and then we had a couple of cold nights and this is what it looks like now--Gorgeous, gorgeous, ORANGE!

I've never noticed that it had berries until I took this closeup. I'm going to look closer tomorrow. I don't know what kind of bush it is, but I always look forward to its beautiful ORANGE display in the Fall.

Here's to the color ORANGE,
Lynda
(FYI-First pic, orange and blue, GO BRONCOS!)

International Quilt Market - Day 1 and 2

Hi everyone! I'm Laura, Nancy's youngest daughter. I was just 9 months old when Nancy and Lynda started the business, so I guess you can say I literally grew up in the quilting industry. I am here in Houston, Texas this week, along with Nancy, Lynda, Judy (our buyer, show coordinator and more), and Ashley (our Director of Marketing, author of the weekly update, and more).

(From L to R: Lynda, Nancy, Judy, Laura & Ashley)

We had a fun idea to share with all of our readers just exactly what happens at these wonderful markets. Every fall (for 30 years now), hundreds of quilters and vendors gather in Houston, Texas to attend a wholesale show known as International Quilt Market. It is a time when fabric companies debut brand-new lines, pattern companies show the latest patterns, and designers prepare to show everything they have created new in the past year.

Shop owners come from around the world (literally) to attend this event and stock their shops with new and exciting goodies for customers. We have a unique position at market, as we are both vendors (of Possibilities books and patterns) and buyers (for Great American Quilt Factory). The electricity in the air for the three days of the show is undeniable, and we undoubtedly return to the shop feeling renewed, refreshed and excited to share all of the new ideas with our customers.

But it does take preparation! The booth isn't decorated when we arrive, in fact we ship cartons of quilts, displays, curtains, even carpeting, directly to Houston to "decorate" our booth. There are hundreds of vendors at the event, and each is assigned their booth space. We arrived in Houston on Thursday afternoon, and started setting up our booth on Friday morning.

Nancy and Lynda getting ready to unpack the boxes and set-up the booth (pretty sparse!)

Now there are some poles to hang quilts on, and the tables have been moved:

We're not the only ones getting set up!

Nancy stood on the ladder to hang poles, and cover and wrap the poles in fabric:

I helped a little too!

With the basics of the booth put together, we loaded the quilts in suitcases, and headed to the upstairs floor of the convention center for Schoolhouse. Schoolhouse is a day of 15-30 minute presentations from vendors, designers, companies, basically an information session about new products and good ways to help your customers get the most from a product.

Nancy and Lynda presented a Schoolhouse about their new fabric line, Petals & Paisleys (for Quilting Treasures), and talked about making an "Inspiration Station" in a store:

Shop owners love to hear Nancy and Lynda's ideas!

After Schoolhouse, we return to hang the quilts up in the booth. On Friday morning, they turn on all of the overhead lights, turn on the air-conditioning (a must in humid Texas) and the show is ready to start.

In a few short hours, we turned our booth from bare to stunning, ready for visitors.

Check back soon, we'll post more about all of the other fun stuff to see at Quilt Market!

:) Laura